The Chinese Government issued a white paper on Tibet Autonomous Region on October 22. The paper, titled Development and Progress of Tibet, gives a detailed account of the region's advances over the past 60 years.

According to the white paper, 96 percent of Tibet's local government spending comes from financial assistance from central authorities.

In 2012, the per-capita net income of local farmers and herdsmen was around 6,000 yuan ($1,000), and 88 percent of the same group lives in government-subsidized housing. Cultural preservation has also been fruitful, with the study and use of Tibetan language and script protected by law.

More than 90 percent of students in local primary and middle schools receive bilingual education, with Tibetan as the principal language.

Traditional religious activities such as studying scriptures and debate, initiation into monk- or nun-hood, abhisheka (empowerment ceremony) and self-cultivation are held in Tibet on a regular basis, the white paper stated.

So far, more than 40 incarnated living Buddhas have been confirmed in the region through traditional religious rituals and historical conventions.